All land acquired for public purposes, including land acquired before the 2013 Constitution came into force, should be returned to iTaukei landowners when it is no longer needed.
This is a submission to the Joint Committee on the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2026 by Tavua resident Peceli Vuniwa, who is calling for amendments to Sections 48 (2) and 49 (2) of the proposed Bill to address concerns about the return of land and the restoration of land to its original status.
Vuniwa says Section 48 (2) should be amended to clarify that land acquired for public purposes before the 2013 Constitution came into force must also be returned when it is no longer required.
He says the provision reflects aspects of Section 28(2) of the 2013 Constitution, but the proposed wording removes the reference to land acquired after the commencement of the Constitution.
Vuniwa says iTaukei landowners have questioned why the existing provision allows for the return of land acquired for public purposes after the 2013 Constitution came into force, but does not cover land acquired before that time.
He compared the situation to being given an apple with half of it withheld, saying all land acquired for public use that is no longer needed should be returned, regardless of when it was acquired.
Vuniwa is also calling for Section 49 (2) of the proposed Bill to be amended or removed to allow the full reversion of land to iTaukei landowners through the iTaukei Land Trust Board (TLTB).
He says the provision retains the status of land that was already freehold before the commencement of the Constitution, reflecting Section 29(5) of the 2013 Constitution.
Vuniwa says the TLTB and the Lands Department have advised iTaukei landowners that Section 29(5) has affected requests under Section 18 of the iTaukei Land Trust Act relating to the allocation and reservation of land.
He says landowners had been led to believe the constitutional provision would be amended or removed to address concerns that it prevents land from being restored to its original status.
Vuniwa says the Government and the TLTB should be reminded of their commitment to address these concerns through submissions to the committee.
Vuniwa also spoke about his involvement in the 2000 coup, saying he had been imprisoned in Nukulau alongside George Speight and others.
He says he took part in the coup because he firmly believed at the time that the aspirations and interests of the iTaukei were being diluted.
Vuniwa recalled participating in marches in Suva and the burning of the 1997 Constitution, adding that two of his colleagues involved in those events had since passed away.
